Explore 超 in measurements and compounds. Learn each reading in a complete word.

The idea

超 has 12 strokes; follow the linked diagram. 超える（こえる） and 超す（こす） mean to exceed; compounds such as 超過（ちょうか） and 超音波（ちょうおんぱ） use ちょう.

Patterns to compare
WordReading
超えるこえる
超すこす
超過ちょうか
超音波ちょうおんぱ

Examples

  • 今日きょうは気温きおんが３０度どを超こえました。The temperature exceeded 30 degrees today.
  • 参加者さんかしゃが１００人にんを超こしました。The number of participants exceeded 100.
  • 山やまを越こえて村むらに着つきました。We crossed the mountain and reached the village.
  • 荷物にもつが重量じゅうりょうの制限せいげんを超こえています。The luggage exceeds the weight limit.
  • 超過ちょうか手荷物てにもつには料金りょうきんがかかります。There is a charge for excess baggage.
  • 医師いしは超音波ちょうおんぱで赤あかちゃんを調しらべました。The doctor examined the baby using ultrasound.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

超える often means exceeding a limit; 越える commonly describes crossing a mountain or boundary. Both can be read こえる, so use context.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 超える in hiragana.

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    こえる

    超える is こえる: the temperature exceeds 30 degrees. Learn the reading with the whole verb.

  2. Write the reading of 超過 in hiragana.

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    ちょうか

    超過 is ちょうか, meaning excess; 超過手荷物 is excess baggage.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ３０度を＿える［超／近］.

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    超

    超 completes 超える: the temperature exceeds 30 degrees. 近 means near.

Use it today

Write 超 following the diagram, cover the table and read the words aloud. Make a sentence about exceeding a limit.